Nailing machine



Sept. 27,1949. I s. RAPPORT 2,482,872

, NAILING MACHINE Filed Feb. 4, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR' 5010/70 fflfiwff I W AORNEY P 1949- 2 s. RAPPORT 2,482,872

NAILING MACHINE I Filed Feb. 4, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 a B I "A W A ORNEY S. RAPPORT NAILING MACHINE Sept. 27, 1949.

Filed Feb. 4, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY S. RAPPORT MAILING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 4, 194

- 1 IINVENTOR. I J WM Fflffidff Aim ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 27, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NAILING MACHINE Solomon Rapport, New York, N. Y. Application February 4, 1946, Serial No. 645,268

7 Claims. (01. 1-1) The present invention relates to the nailing of picture frames and to a method of and machine for nailing picture frames ina horizontal position.

Picture frames have heretofore been nailed either by hand or by a machine similar to a box nailing machine which acts in a vertical direction to drive one or two nails at a time downwardly into a mitered frame corner, this requiring two or four separate nailing operations and appropriate manipulation of the mitered frame members. Such machines require considerable operating labor and are not readily adapted to nail frames of various sizes. As a result, the production rate is not particularly high and the costs of the nailing operations are excessive. In addition, the results produced are apt to be nonuniform with too great a percentage of defective or sub-standard frames.

An object of the present invention is to overcome the above-outlined and other disadvantages and to effect picture frame nailing in a simple, rapid economical manner, free from defective or sub-standard frames.

':Another object of the invention is to nail picture frames while all four frame members are assembled and held in a horizontal position.

A further object of the invention is to insert four nails simultaneously in directions 90 apart in a picture frame held in a horizontal position.

A still further object of the invention resides in means for feeding the nails into proper posi-' tions for the nailing operations and in driving such nails into the picture frame members while both nails and frame members are in a horizontal position.

Other and further objects and advantages lie in the various procedural and structural combinations and sub-combinations hereinafter described and claimed and in such additional matters as will be understood by those skilled in this art.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a machine responding to my present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of my new machine.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view on an enlarged scale of the nail-feeding and picking off devices.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the nail pick off device.

Fig. 51s a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 61s a plan view of one of the foul-nail driving mechanisms.

2 Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 'l-'I of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 88 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is an end elevational view of certain parts of Fig. 6, but with the nail-feeding tube in place.

Fig. 10 illustrates how each nail is inserted in a mitered corner of the assembled frame members.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged elevational view, partly in section, of one of the nail feeding and pick off devices, on line I l-ll of Fig. 2.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view through one of the nail-driving mechanisms, on line l2|2 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken on line l3|3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the means for actuating the nail-driving mechanism.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary section of Fig. 14 taken on line [5-45 thereof.

Like numerals designate corresponding parts in the various views of the drawings.

My new nailing machine includes a table top I0 supported by corner legs H which are suitably bolted or otherwise secured beneath the table top. A central bolt I2 holds a spider l3 in pivotal relationship beneath the tabletop. This spider is provided with an extension to which one end of connecting rod I5 is loosely secured by bolt 16. The other end of connecting rod I5 is camactuated in a circular path within guide I! which is held in place under the table top by means of a hanger bracket l8. A motor 19, mounted on a base member 20, acts through a gear box 2| to drive vertical shaft 22 which is provided with clutch elements 23 and 23a through which the said connecting rod end is cam-actuated as stated. The clutch elements may be engaged by manipulation of a foot pedal 24 in a well-known manner.

V The construction and arrangement is such that. when the foot pedal is depressed and immediately released, shaft 22 makes one complete revolution and only one revolution. By maintaining the foot pedal in a depressed position, shaft 22 rotates continuously, such being undesired in the normal use of the machine. During each revolution of shaft 22, spider I3 is pivoted back and forth through a small angle by connecting rod I5, as will be appreciated from Fig. 14. Such movement in turn effects certain movements of other parts of the machine as will be more fully explained hereinafter. Y

Spider 13' has four rods 25, 26, 21, 28, rigidly secured thereto by bolts 25', 26', 21, 26' at points 90 apart, the rods each extending in a different direction 90 from each other as will be seen from Fig. 14. The other end of each such rod is connected by a bolt 25", 26", 21", or 28", to a T-slotted drive plate 29, 30, 3| or 32, respectively. Spider I3 also has a pair of oppositely extending projections 33 and 34 to each of which one of the bars 35, 33 is connected. The other end of each such bar is pin-connected to a sleeve 37 or 38'mounted on a cross shaft 39 or 40; respectively. Shafts 39' and 40 are journalled in end bearings 44 disposed on the lower ends of hangers 42 depending from the table top It.

It will be appreciated that each time spider" i3 is actuated, shafts 39 and 40 are partially rotated and then returned to their normal posi- This movement correspondingly moves.

tions. 7 shafts 43, 44 through connectors 45, 46, bars 41, 48 and connectors 49, 50.

The movements of shaft 44 which are thus brought about. serve: to actuate. and control the nail storage and feeding accessories. A pair. of bars. x1 are connectedto' shaft 44. and to the underside of nail receptacles 52 which latter are hinged 'at: their forward ends so that they may be pivoted. about the hinge connection as will be understood from the full and dotted line positions indicated in Fig. IL. The bottom of each such receptacle is provided with a slotted 1nem-- her 53; for-the reception. of nails 54 which,,during the movements of the receptacles 5'2, align themselves in the slots,, as. shown. When the receptacles' 52 are. in their uppermost position (the dotted line position. of Fig. 11) the slotted memhers. 53 become aligned with the inclined slotted members 55 which are fixedly mounted on. standards 53.. The slots of members. 59 are likewise shown as containing a succession of nails 54' arranged in single file, points downward, and ready to be fed for nailing purposes. Each receptacle 52= hasa freel-yswingable gravity actuated member 51 pivoted at. 5.3: to.- the: upper forward portion of the; receptacle and having: a, reduced end 5L9 adaptedv to drop into the slot between. the guide flanges 53 a. when the; receptacle: rises, thus blocking further forward sliding movement of nails 54, which are mot correctly positioned with their points: downward. When the receptacleislowered, the-weighted member 5,!- remains substantially stationary but the relative. move ment of the member 51 and the receptacle 52 now causes the member to. kick any misplaced nails away from the. guide slot and; to break up any tendency of the. nails to bunch together at the. forward. end of the receptacle- The member 51 is vertically adjustable to allow for passage below it. of various. sized: nails. The. elevated guide. flanges 5.3a are. fixedly spaced from the edge of the slot 53; tov accommodate the nail heads. The lower end of the slot in each. member 54 communicates with a pick-off device by means of which one. nail fed, as needed, intothe: upper funnel-shaped. end of a flexible tube 310. down which. each n'ail'slides point first until itis delivered into thev position shown in Fig. 12, ready for driving into the. picture. frame mein bers BIL. The, pick-oft device, as: best understood from Figs- 3-5., includes a block 62. having-a pielu off plate 53 secured. thereto as by screws 64., Block fizhasa tapering opening G5therethrough underlying. an opening 66 pick-oft plate I53 larger than the. nailheads, of nails 54.. A pick-off slide 61 has an opening 68 of the same size. as, and registrablewith openingv 36 in. pick-off plate 9.3-, and also an oblique connecting slot 69., Pick-01f and; can be removed at will;

slide 61 is longitudinally actuated by bent rod 10 and limited as to its sliding movement by depending pin H. Each time pick-off slide 6? is actuated, the lowermost nail is picked from the descending row of nails and dropped into the upper end of the flexible tube, and the next nail is held for the subsequent movement of the pick-off slide 61, and so on. If desired, supplemental manual member 12 on member 55 can be moved (slide inwardly to form a stop preventlng further movement of the nails along the slot. During the normal operation of the ma-- chine, member 12 is in the inoperative position showni in Fig. 3. Rod I0 is actuated by shaft 13 which is in turn reciprocated by link [4 connect ed at one end to shaft 13 and at the other end to. alateral cam-like-projecting member 15 operatively associated with the lower end of bar 51 (see Fig. 11).

As will be observed from Fig. 2, the mitred picture frame-members Ell are assembled in horizontal. position and are so clamped prior to nailing. The mitned corners: of the frame members are disposed upon plates 16 which are held in place;

.' by screws 1;! which: extend inwardly from the front edges of slides l8; andbear against the-projections 19 depending from; the underside of plates 16; An angle plate 89 is adjustably bolted to each plate 1:6 and; has a vertical flange 8| against. which one of the picture frame members 61 abuts (note Fig. 10). A chuck frame 82 is mounted, asshownin Fig. 6,. in theforward portionof the chuck table 83.. Chuck frame 82 is yoke-shaped with a central aperture 84 alignedwith an opening 85;formed between. opposed jaw explained, jaws 8-6: are forced open when a nail 54 is driven into picture frame members 6],, jaws 86 vmay be opened manually by means of hand actuated extension plates 83 secured to the jaws by screws 89. Aremovable-cover plate 90, preferably integral with the lower end of flexible tube 60, normally covers the chuck plate and jaws. Chuck table 83 is provided along one sidewith a gear rack 9| whichmeshes with-a pinion. 92 which is mounted on one end of a stub shaft 93. A split bearing clamp 94 encircles the mid-portion: of shaft 93 between hubs 95 and 95a, for the purpose of permitting relative adjustment between hammer block I and: drive plate 32 to; accommodate various sizes of frames to. be nailed. The hub 95 adjacent pin-ion 92 is provided with a slot 96 and shaft 93 is. provided with an upstanding pin 91 projecting into slot 96 and constituting a lost motion device. A hand wheel 98. is disposed on the outer end of shaft. 93.

A carriage 99 lies under chuck table 83 and is undercut to provide a slideway for the flaring bottom extension of chuck table 83. Carriage 99 also is cut out centrally for the passage of slotted drive plate 32 therethrough. A. hammer block 1.09 is slidably mounted: ondrive plate 32. The chuck table 83 is cut out for the reception of the lower reduced portion of hammer block I00, as shown best in Figs. 6 12. and 13. A bolt Hll-v extends through hammer block [-09- and through the slot in drive plate 32, the lower enlarged head U12: of bolt [M lying in the. T slot. [03. of drive plate 32. A nut I04 on the upper end of bolt Hll maintains. the assembly and.- permits disassembly or relative adjustment when such is required. A helical. spring. [0.5. has one end connected. to hammer block lllll and the other end; connectedv to an upright member 830. on therear of chuck table 83. The front of hammer block I is recessed and threaded and a threaded bushing I06 is located therein (Fig. 12) A nut I01 locks bushing 106 in place. Bushing I06 is hollow and is adapted to receive a second threaded bushing I08 which is apertured for the passage of hammer rod I09. The end of rod I09 which projects through bushing I08 is providedwith an enlarged terminal H0, and a helical spring I I lies between terminal H0 and the rear end of bushing I08. The other end of hammer rod I09 passesbetween the rear portions of jaws 86 and partway into the space II2 between such jaw members and into which space successive nails 54 fall after their travel through flexible tube 69. It will be understood that movement of hammer block I00 correspondingly advances rod I09 and drives each nail 54 out through openings 84, 85, between jaws 86 which latter yield against springs 81 to permit such action. The nails 54 are thus driven into picture frame members 6| with a single smooth stroke which avoids splitting and marring of the frames. Four nails are thus simultaneously driven in four different directions at 90 angles to each other. This will be apparent from Fig. 2 in particular.

As hammer block I00 moves forwardly, spring I exerts enough force to move chuck table 83 along with it until the frame members I6 are yieldinglyclamped.

In order to accommodate picture frames as well as moldings of different sizes, the entire driving assemblies can be advanced toward or retracted from each other. For this purpose, a bed plate 3 has a central longitudinal trough in which a long feed screw H4 is disposed and a pair of parallel rail-like members II5 defining the central trough. (Figs. 2, '7 and 12.) Carriage 99 is provided with a complementary dovetail slot a I I6 which fits over the trough and over members H5. The frictional resistance between 6 and I I5 may be adjusted by the set screw II'I against the gib II6a. An operating handle 8 is provided for each long screw H4, and by means thereof the screw can be advanced or retracted and the driving assembly correspondingly moved to alter the distance between the frame receiving plates 16.

It will be understood and appreciated that each of the four nail-holding and feeding devices is identical and that the description of one suffices for all. The same is true for the nail-driving mechanisms which are all identical.

' The operation of the nailing machine as a whole will be understood from the foregoing description and the explanation of the operation of the various sub-assemblies. For convenience, such operation can be summarized as follows: Actuation of spider I3 from motor I9 (or hand actuation by means of auxiliary devices forming a part of the machine for use where or when electricity is not available but not illustrated, to avoid confusion) effects reciprocatory movement of rods 25, 26, 21 and 28. This causes corresponding movements of T-slotted drive plates 29, 30, 3| and 32 and movement of hammer blocks I00 and driving rods I09. For convenience, the operation of only a single driving head will be described, it being understood that all four of the corners of the machine, that is all four driving heads operate similarly. As the T-slotted drive plate 32 moves forward with its hammer block, it draws forward the chuck table 83 by reason of the fact that the chuck table and the hammer block are interconnected by spring I05, and this forward movement of the chuck table continues. only until the chuck table contacts the-frame members 6|, at which time further forward movement of the chuck table is prevented. This forward movement of the chuck tables effects yielding clamping of the picture frame members 6| tightly together at the miter oints. The extent of movement of the chuck table is of the order of about A;", so that sufiicient clamping can take place between the picture frame members prior to the nailing together thereof. Asthe drive plate and hammer block continue to move forward, the spring I05 is merely extended since its rear end is secured to the chuck 7 table, and thus the chuck table maintains continued yielding pressure against the miter joints of the picture frame members. On the return stroke, however, of the drive plate, the hammer block I00 finally reaches the rearward end of the slot in the drive plate'and also backs off the drive plate so as to bring the front end of the lost motion slot 96 against the pin 91, ready for the next cycle of operation. After the first portion of such movement, chuck tables 83 move forwardly, clamping the picture frame members 6| tightly together at the mitre joints. The lost motion arrangement at 95, 96, 9'! permits such and then the remainder of the stroke is completed. Meanwhile, the movement of spider I3 also rotates shafts 39 and 40 through an angle to raise and lower nail receptacles 52 and to provide a succession of prearranged nails, the lowermost of which is picked off and dropped through the flexible tubes, landing in front of the forward ends of drive rods I09 at such a time as to be driven out through the jaws 86 and into the frame mem-- bers 6|. The machine is operated only once for each frame which is thereafter removed and replaced by a succession of frames. In this way, the production of nailed frames can be carried out rapidly and efficiently representing substan-' other end thereof. The nails (four only in number) lie in four different directions at 90 to each other. Frames so produced are unusually strong and resist distorting forces surprisingly well. While the machine is normally so constructed and arranged that the nails are driven into the frames until the heads are flush with the frame surfaces, it will be readily understood that bushing I06 can be screwed partly out of the recess in hammer block I00 so that during operation ofthe machine the drive rod I09 moves forward an extra increment. In this way the nail heads can be countersunk. By covering over the nail heads and filling the small recesses with a suitable material, the presence of the nails can be completely hidden and an unusually fine appearing picture frame produced. While wood frames are usually and preferably employed, I could nail frames of any other materials into which nails can be driven successfully.

While the above invention has been described with respect to the nailing of mitred picture frames, it will be understood that any mitred frame might be nailed in this manner.

While in the drawings and specifications the invention has been illustrated as driving a single nail intoeach frame member, it should be further'understood that the same method andprocedure may be used for driving twonails into eachframemember, in which case; it would be merely necessary to providetwo-chuck frames in superimposedrelationso-that the-nails aredriven at different vertical levels, Such change can be made by anyone skilled in the art, without involving invention.

Likewise; it should beobvious that if frames are to be made without mitred corners, theframe members maybe butted against one another in a well-known manner, with or without half-lapped corners, and nailed ina similar manner;

Numerous changes in construction and detail can be made without departing fromthe-spirit' or principle of the invention which is that defined prises'means for clamping four frame members in horizontal position, means for feeding four nails into positions from which they can; be linearly driven toward said frames and means for driving said nails toward and into said frames simultaneously in four different directions 90 apart from each other, and in non-opposing: re-' lation.

3. A machine for nailing frames which comprises means for clamping four frame members inhorizontal position, means for feeding four nails into positions from which they; can be linearly driven towardsaid'framesanid means fordriving said nails toward and; into said' frames simultaneously in four different directions 90 apart from each other, said first-named means.

including, four frame supporting plates and abutments for securing and maintaining the framemembers in position for nailing.

4; A machine for nailing, frames which com:-

prises means for clamping four frame members. in horizontal position, means for feeding four nails into positions from which, they can be linearly; driven toward saidframes and means; for driving said nails toward and into said'frames simultaneously in four different directions 90 apart from each other, said last-named means including a plurality of slotted drive plates, hammer blocks operatively associated with said drive plates, a driving rod projecting from. each such hammer block, a chuck at one end ofeach drivingrod; and a chuck table associated with. each hammer block andon; which each chuck is mounted;

5. A machine for nailing frames which comprises means for clamping four'frame' members in horizontal position, means for feeding four nails into positions from which they can be linearly driven. toward said frames and means for driving'said nails toward and. into said frames simultaneously in four different directions, said; last-named means including four transversely, adjustable nail-driving units, spaced 90f apart and facing" in directions 90' from each other a slotteddrive' plate for actuating eachsuch unit and a common device for simultaneously and synchronously actuating suchdrive plates,

6. A machine fornailing frames which comprises means for-clamping four frame members in 'horizontal position, means, for feeding four. nails into positions from. which, they can be linearlydriven toward said frames and means; for drivingsaid nails toward and into said'frames simultaneously in four different, directions, said last-named; means including. four transversely adjustable nail-driving units spaced 90 apart and facing in directions 90 from each other, a slotted drive plate for actuating each such unit'- and a; common device for simultaneously and synchronously actuating such drive plates, and

comprising a spider, a plurality of rods securedto said spider and to said drive plates andpowermeans for imparting" a limited pivotal movement to said spider in a horizontal plane.

'7. In a machine, fornailing frames, a spider mounted; for limited pivotal movement, a plurality-of rods connected thereto, at angles of, 90 to eachother; a pair of spaced shafts, a barconnecting said spider with each of said shafts and. a drive for imparting pivotal movement to said: spider, whereby said rods are reciprocated and said shafts are simultaneously partially revolved.

SOLGMON RAPPORT;

REFERENCES CITED The, following references are of record inthe; file: of this patent:

UNTPED STATES- PA'IENTS Number Name Date 39,985, Bascon Sept. 15,v 1863. 18 L843 Goodhue Feb 27, 1877 199,519.: Rose Jan. 22; 1871i 813,162 Miiliken Feb, 20,1906 978,181 Miller Dec. 13, L910 LQ34,4,82, Miller Aug. 6,,1912. 1,153, L60. Herr i Sept. 7., 191.5 1,496,316 Jackson; June.3,. 19924, 2310 638 Hubbard Feb. 9, 1943'. 2,338,948 Paxton June 26. 19.45. 

